'No let up' in bid to make Scotland smoke-free

The Scottish government will continue its drive to make the nation smoke-free, following on from the success of the ban on smoking in enclosed public places and the raising of the legal age to buy cigarettes, the public health minister has claimed.

Shona Robison said that the government will do 'all we can' to improve the nation's health and that young people have been supportive of their actions so far.

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'Raising the age for cigarette sales has sent out a clear message to young people about the risks associated with smoking,' she claimed.

'I hope that statistics will show that fewer young people are now starting smoking.'

Ms Robison revealed that the government will continue with its plans to make cigarettes less accessible and attractive by restricting their display in shops.

Brian Thomson, a 22-year-old smoker from Galashiels, believes that raising the age to buy cigarettes to 18 was a 'really good idea'.

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He started smoking as a 16-year-old and admits that he only took up the habit because he wanted to be 'one of the lads'.

'I think anything that makes it more difficult for young people at an impressionable age to easily take up smoking can only be a good thing,' he added.

At the time when Scotland raised the legal age to buy cigarettes 12 months ago, a Young Scot survey found that 68 per cent of young people were in favour of the move.

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